North Logan Notese

It’s a drizzly, overcast, sullen day here in Cache Valley. That should be indicative of my mood, but there is an overarching peace and warmth that keeps pushing away the sadness. We cannot stop thinking about Grandpa and what an amazing man he was/is. It's an interesting awareness that even though we didn't always connect with him on a regular basis, the option of interacting with him - calling to check on him, asking for advice, counsel, blessings, etc., is no longer available. It's a rather lonely realization. But, that said, there are no feelings of anxiety for him or anything other than feelings of love and admiration and tenderness. Of course we will miss him. Terribly. For a long time. What a blessing to know it's all part of the Plan. And, just so you know, Dad and I "don't have any problem with the Plan of Salvation!"

Grandpa rallied enough strength to participate in our family reunion. He even went to Nephi and stood on farm soil. We read together the essay he wrote about the soil to make sure we remember the things that are most important. It completely wore him out and he wasn't out of bed much after that. His last days were filled with family, though without much conversation. All that needed to be said, had been.

Thank you all for your visits, letters, phone calls and texts. They were remembered and mentioned by him and Christi. Emma's sweet letter was beside him when we arrived on Friday morning. Grandpa loved you all very much, as I'm sure you felt and understood. He was immensely grateful, as are Dad and I, for your efforts to live the gospel. Often, he spoke of our family and his gratitude for your gifts, talents, obedience and goodness. Thank you for giving him such "joy in his posterity."

I loved Thomas' Instagram message and Emma's letter and wanted to share them with all of you, so they are attached below.

To clarify, so you all know the plan, the funeral will be on Monday, November 12 at 11:00 in Springville. There will be a visitation on Sunday evening from 6 to 8 and again on Friday morning from 9 to 10:30. I will send a copy of the obituary, or a link to it, when it is published. The schedule after the funeral will be a little different since Grandpa will, of course, be buried in Nephi. So, we will have a luncheon after the funeral and then drive to Nephi for the burial.

Jennifer and Scott will arrive on Friday, and Thomas will also be flying in, probably on Saturday. It would be nice if we could get together to visit while everyone is here, but I know that may not be possible. We would be happy to have you all here for a gathering of dinner and visiting on Friday or Saturday, if possible, otherwise we can plan on some good visiting in at the luncheon and other funeral events, hopefully. We are looking forward to seeing all of you and having some time with all of the family.